Courtesy photo
Former Nichols College men’s basketball coach will guide the boys team at St. Thomas Aquinas High School this winter.

DOVER — Sometimes timing is everything. In this instance, Dave Sokolnicki would agree.The head men’s basketball coach at Nichols College in Dudley, Mass., for 13 years, earlier this month he was approved as head coach for the St. Thomas Aquinas High school boys basketball team. He takes over for Pat Quinn, a former STA star, who left after one season.“It fit what I was looking for,” Sokolnicki said. “I couldn’t believe it was open when I was looking.”Sokolnicki, 38, and his wife, Brooke, had already made the decision to move from Pelham to Portsmouth, where she is established in her career. He tried the corporate world after stepping down at Nichols last May, but decided it wasn’t for him. He has an MBA and is currently searching for teaching positions in the area.Sokolnicki attended Nichols where he played both basketball and football, earning all-star distinction in both sports. He served as a basketball assistant for two seasons before being hired as the head coach. At the time he was 23, one of the youngest head coaches in the nation.In 13 seasons, Nichols won 150 games with a high mark of 17-9 in 2003-04. Sokolnicki was elected to the Nichols College athletic Hall of Fame in 2004.“He has a wealth of experience in college basketball and football,” said St. Thomas Athletic Director Ryan Brown. “He’ll help us get back to where we used to be.”In addition to his coaching duties at Nichols, Sokolnicki was also assistant athletic director and Director of Alumni Affairs. The 70-minute one-way commute from Pelham to Nichols also played a role in his decision to move on.“I’ll enjoy getting back into teaching,” he said. “I have an MBA so that lines me up well. I’d like to get an administrative role down the line.”Sokolnicki said of his time at Nichols: “I loved every minute of it. I always enjoyed the journey every year. It’s bittersweet leaving there.”Sokolnicki is looking forward to the St. Thomas experience.“I’m super excited,” he said. “I walked in the gym and knew it was the place I wanted to be. I’m looking forward to working in the private school environment, and enjoying the rivalries up here. St. Thomas has family-type atmosphere like Nichols after meeting the players, the parents and the staff.”St. Thomas went 8-10 last year and lost in the first round of the Division II tournament at Pembroke.Academy“Basketball is basketball. Coaching is coaching,” Sokolnicki added. “I get to do what I like to do. I love to coach.He will be the program’s third coach in an many years. Quinn coached the team last year and veteran Dan Parr was the coach before that (for 27 years). Parr left after the 2010-11 season to take the head position for the Portsmouth High girls team.The Sokolnickis have two daughters, Sarah and Allison.